China Visa-Free Travel 2025 – Complete Overview

Beginning in 2025, the China transit visa policy is playing a major role in making international travel to China more convenient. Alongside this update, Russian citizens can also enjoy a new 30-day visa-free entry, while travelers from over 50 countries continue to benefit from the 240-hour visa-free transit program introduced in 2023. This article explains eligibility, requirements, and offers traveler tips.

30-Day Visa-Free Entry for Russian Citizens (from September 15, 2025)

• Who qualifies: Travelers using Russian passports
• Length of stay: Up to 30 consecutive days for each entry
• Pilot duration: One year beginning on September 15, 2025
• Requirements:
  • Passport
  • Return/onward flight itinerary
  • Evidence of accommodation (hotel or invitation letter)
• Ports of entry: Major international airports and some land crossings

This is a game changer for Russian tourists and Russian businesspeople to visit Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and more without needing to apply for a traditional visa.

Transit Visa in China – 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit

Also called the China transit visa exemption, this allows more than 50 nationalities to remain (visa-free) in China for 240 hours (10 days) when traveling with a stopover in a third country. Many guides also describe this as transit visa China, which is simply another way of referring to the same 240-hour visa-free transit policy.

• Applicable Nationalities: Countries include the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and most EU states.
• Duration: Up to 240 hours (10 days).
• Cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xi’an, and many more.
• Conditions:
  • Must have a confirmed onward ticket to a third country (not back to your origin).
  • Must remain within the designated area you entered (e.g., if you entered China via Beijing, you must remain in Beijing, Tianjin, or Hebei).
  • Passport must be valid for at least six months.

Transit in China Visa – Common Queries

Many travelers conflate the 144-hour and 240-hour transit policies into a single rule. The transit in China visa-free rule is clear:

• If you qualify, you do not get an actual visa.
• You will receive a special entry stamp upon immigration.
• If you overstay, it is an infraction and can lead to fines or bans.

Interestingly, many people search for unusual phrases like “china is giving 248 hours no visa”, which actually refers to the 240-hour transit visa-free policy.

Comparing the Two Policies

Policy	Eligible Travelers	Length	Prerequisite
Russia 30-Day Visa-Free Entry	Russian citizens	30 days	Passport + return/onward ticket
240-Hour Transit Visa-Free	50+ countries	10 days	Onward ticket to a third country

Both policies reflect China’s desire to increase tourism and business exchange in 2025.

Travel Itineraries You Can Consider

For Russian Citizens

• 7-day Beijing–Xi’an–Zhangjiajie cultural route
• 10-day Chongqing, Yangtze River cruise, Zhangjiajie & Changsha nature trip

For Transit Travelers

• 5-day Beijing stopover: Forbidden City, Great Wall, Hutongs
• 7-day Shanghai + Suzhou + Hangzhou loop

Visiting China through visa-free options provides travelers with more flexibility to experience the country without the inconvenience of lengthy paperwork.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can Russians stay more than 30 days visa-free?
A: Not at this time, they will need a traditional visa for longer stays.

Q2: What is the difference between a China transit visa and a tourist visa?
A: A China transit visa allows visitors a short-term stay in China linked to onward travel, typically under ten days. A tourist visa allows visitors longer and more flexible stays.

Q3: Is “china is giving 248 hours no visa” real?
A: Yes, that phrase is simply another way of referring to the 240-hour transit visa-free policy.

Q4: Can I use visa-free transit multiple times on one trip?
A: Yes, the only catch is that you need an onward ticket and you must remain within the timeframes for each city.